KPV
Anti-inflammatory tripeptide derived from alpha-MSH
In a colitis model, KPV reduced the infiltration of neutrophils, inflammatory cells, by about 50% (Dalmasso, Gastroenterology, 2008).
These are the last three amino acids of alpha-MSH (lysine, proline, valine): they carry its anti-inflammatory effect, without activating the pigmentation receptor.
It is studied for digestive comfort and reactive skin: it enters the cell through the PepT1 transporter, abundant in the gut, and blocks NF-kB there at nanomolar concentrations.
- Half-life
- Short; the peptide is quickly taken up by tissues, where its effect on NF-kB lasts longer.
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection; an oral route has been studied for the gut, and topical application for the skin.
Technical sheet
- Family
- Anti-inflammatory tripeptide derived from alpha-MSH
- Half-life
- Short; the peptide is quickly taken up by tissues, where its effect on NF-kB lasts longer.
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection; an oral route has been studied for the gut, and topical application for the skin.
- Time to effect
- Digestive or skin comfort in one to three weeks; an underlying effect with consistent use.
- Level of evidence
- Laboratory research
Chemical identity
- Chemical name
- Lys-Pro-Val
- Form
- Synthetic peptide, values for the base form
- CAS No.
- 67727-97-3
Salt form: as stated on the lot's certificate of analysis.
The last three amino acids of alpha-MSH
KPV (lysine, proline, valine) is the C-terminal end of alpha-MSH. This hormone darkens the skin, reduces appetite, and calms inflammation. Its last three amino acids, Lys-Pro-Val, carry the bulk of the anti-inflammatory effect without activating the pigmentation receptor: KPV isolates that action.
PepT1 and NF-kB
The PepT1 transporter carries KPV into intestinal and immune cells. There, it blocks NF-kB, the factor that drives the production of inflammatory cytokines, and reduces cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha. It also acts in the nucleus, unlike anti-inflammatories that stay at the surface.
Gut and skin
PepT1 is abundant in the gut, where KPV reduces inflammation of the lining and supports the intestinal barrier. The same mechanism applies to the skin (redness, chronic inflammation) and to tissues under strain from exertion.
Studied effects and observed timelines
Digestive comfort: intestinal inflammation reduced in colitis models
One to three weeks
Reactive skin: it reduces IL-6 and TNF-alpha
Two to four weeks
Recovery inflammation: it blocks NF-kB inside the cell
Weeks
What you may feel
- Reaction at the injection site.
- Rarely, mild digestive discomfort at the start.
Stop and consult if
- Intense abdominal pain, blood in the stool: digestive inflammation needs to be assessed, not soothed blindly.
When to abstain
- Diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease, without your prescriber's supervision.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Ongoing immunosuppressive treatment.
- Minors.
The effects to watch for, and how to reduce them
This sheet is educational. It replaces neither a diagnosis nor follow-up: for any medical condition, pregnancy, breastfeeding or current medication, talk to a health professional.
A precise mechanism, described down to the molecular level (transport via PepT1, NF-kB inhibition), and reproducible results on intestinal and skin inflammation in laboratory studies.
Alpha-MSH, from which it derives, has been studied in humans for decades; clinical research on the KPV fragment itself is ongoing.
2008 · Dalmasso et al., Gastroenterology
Human intestinal cells and an experimental model of colitis
KPV enters cells through the PepT1 transporter, inhibits NF-kB, and reduces intestinal inflammation, with a clear improvement in signs of colitis.
2017 · Xiao et al., Molecular Therapy
An experimental model of colitis, encapsulated oral KPV
Targeted delivery of KPV to the colon, with reduced inflammation and restored lining even at a very low dose.
2003 · Brzoska et al., review in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
A synthesis of the work on alpha-MSH and its fragments (including KPV)
Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect of alpha-MSH's C-terminal fragments, without an effect on pigmentation.
Does it tan the skin?
No. It keeps only the anti-inflammatory part of alpha-MSH, not the one that activates pigmentation.
Why KPV for digestive issues?
The PepT1 transporter, through which it enters the cell, is abundant in the gut, and even more so in an inflamed gut. In a colitis model, KPV reduced the infiltration of neutrophils, inflammatory cells, by about 50% (Dalmasso, 2008).
Is it an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen?
No. Conventional anti-inflammatories block an enzyme (COX) and can irritate the stomach; KPV acts on NF-kB inside cells and spares the lining.
Glossary (5)
- Alpha-MSH
- A melanotropic hormone: it regulates pigmentation, appetite, and inflammation through melanocortin receptors.
- PepT1
- A transporter that brings small peptides into cells, abundant in the gut.
- NF-kB
- A “switch” protein that triggers the production of inflammatory messengers.
- Cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha)
- Chemical messengers that sustain inflammation when overproduced.
- Intestinal barrier
- A layer of tightly joined cells that separates the contents of the gut from the rest of the body.